Bangladesh is moving to expand its natural gas infrastructure in response to rising domestic demand.
Bangladesh natural gas demand is expected to rise to 700-850 MMcfd in the next few years from the current level of about 500 MMcfd, said Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.
INFRASTRUCTURE EXPANSION
Zia urged quick implementation of a $210 million project to expand the country's gas infrastructure with Gopalganj at the center.
The project is to be funded by the World Bank, United Nations, Netherlands, and other sources. It has been delayed in recent months, causing substantial cost overruns.
Plans call for more wells to be drilled in the Kailashtila gas producing area near Gopalganj, Sylhet district. The program involves appraisal and development drilling in Beanibazar, Kailashtile, and Rashidpur gas fields. Details about the number of wells to be drilled and expected production levels were not disclosed.
GAS PROCESSING COMPLEX
In addition, Bangladesh earlier this year broke ground for a $56 million gas processing complex at Kailashtila that includes gas dehydration, fractionation, and liquefied petroleum gas production units.
The plant, the country's first, is to produce 5,000 tons/year of LPG, 8,500 tons/year of casinghead gasoline, and 6,500 tons/year of diesel and kerosine. It is expected to be complete in 27 months at a cost of more than $36 million.
In addition, Zia broke ground for an LPG storage, bottling, and distribution plant to be built in 27 months at a cost of more then $19 million.
Plans call for state owned Petrobangla to distribute bottled LPG from the complex domestically.
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